Author: Opalim Lifted

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) over its recent decision to increase Automated Teller Machine (ATM) transaction fees. SERAP argues that the fee hike is “unlawful, unfair, unreasonable, and unjust” and seeks a court order to stop its implementation. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos under case number FHC/L/CS/344/2025, challenges the CBN’s directive, which imposes a N100 charge per N20,000 withdrawn from ATMs located outside bank branches, with additional surcharges of up to N500 for withdrawals at shopping centres, airports, and standalone cash points.…

Olympique de Marseille are no strangers to being trailblazers in French football and they have set yet another benchmark by becoming the first Ligue 1 club to establish an amputee football team. This new side will play their first French championship match at the weekend in a four-team league which includes amputee teams set up by Ligue 2 clubs Annecy and Paris FC. Bouaye complete the league. “When I was able-bodied, it was a dream to come and play here (for OM),” Marseille captain Jerome Raffetto, 45, whose former career in Ligue 2 was ruined by a road accident in…

Robin van Persie is to take over as Feyenoord coach, making a swift return to the club where he started and ended his playing career, Dutch media reported on Saturday. Feyenoord, who this week progressed to the Champions League last 16, and Heerenveen have reached an agreement for Van Persie to switch and he is set to start next week. Neither club have announced the move, but Dutch media said Feyenoord would pay a fee for Van Persie to leave Heerenveen with immediate effect. The 41-year-old signed a two-year deal at Heerenveen from the start of the season for his…

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has dragged one Mr Adeolu Olayinka, a staff member of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, to court for secretly including his wife and son on the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) portal of the ministry between 2023 and 2024. Olayinka was arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday on a three-count bordering on money laundering charges. In a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/584/2024, the commission accused Olayinka of acquiring millions of naira by including his wife and son on the Integrated Personnel…

Gunmen invaded Elyon Paradise Ministry church, Asagba Ogwashi, near Ogwashi Uku Polytechnic in Aniocha South local government area on Saturday. They shot one Pastor Divine Omodia and whisked away six members of the Church to an unknown destination. On February 21, 2025, at about 10:30 pm, the gunmen rounded up the Church, shot the pastor, and cut off his two fingers which resulted in the loss of blood. A pastor of the Church, Steve Victor Onuchukwu that since the incident occurred, the gunmen have not called to demand any ramson for their release. Onuchukwu said the matter has since been…

The General Overseer, The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), world-wide, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has called on Nigerians to enter into covenant with God to turn things around for good in the country, saying God is a covenant keeping God and will always honour His words. He made the call at the 2nd Thanksgiving Service of the year at The Throne of Grace, RCCG Headquarters, Ebute Metta, where he ministered on the topic: “Covenant Keeping God.” He said, covenant can be likened to a contract binding on the two persons with spelt out recompense for anyone who breaks the stipulated…

January signing Marco Asensio got his first two Aston Villa goals as they came from behind to beat Chelsea and grab a valuable three points in their push for European qualification. An excellent piece of play out wide from Pedro Neto fashioned a ninth-minute opener for Chelsea, with the winger skipping past Ian Maatsen before drilling a low delivery across the face of goal which only required a slight prod from Enzo Fernandez to turn it past Emilio Martinez. But Chelsea did not seize control and half-time substitute Marcus Rashford – who was initially ruled offside before the video assistant…

Arsenal missed the chance to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool as West Ham ended a four-match winless run with a stunning victory at Emirates Stadium. Jarrod Bowen got the winner against a Gunners side who later had Myles Lewis-Skelly sent off. Victory would have moved Arsenal to within five points of Arne Slot’s team, who visit champions Manchester City on Sunday, but they struggled badly against a Hammers side who defended magnificently and created the better openings over the 90 minutes. Bowen started and finished the move that led to the winner late in the first half,…

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC) said it has halted crude feeds into its 16-inch Nun River-Kolo creek crude trunkline in Bayelsa, following an oil spill. In a statement on Friday, Michael Adande, spokesperson of SPDC, said the company shut down its joint venture asset in the Obololi community, Bayelsa, as it works to contain and clean up the spill. The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) reported the oil spill from Shell’s underwater pipeline on Thursday. Chukwuemeka Woke, director-general of NOSDRA, said the agency received a report of the incident on Monday and then initiated…

Man United staged a late comeback to earn a dramatic draw at Everton after they looked set to plunge deeper into crisis at Goodison Park. Everton’s resurgence under their returning manager David Moyes – formerly of United – looked set to continue as they exerted total domination in the first 45 minutes to establish a deserved two-goal lead. They exposed every Man United flaw in that opening half, Beto turning in his fifth goal under Moyes in the 19th minute after a goalmouth scramble before Abdoulaye Doucoure headed them two ahead. The second Everton goal was a desperate moment for…